Opt-in membership is available to businesses that either exist out-with the catchment area of Nairn BID, or whose property’s rateable value lies below the £1000 threshold, but still wish to support the BID and receive most of the benefits that members do. As Nairn BID exists for the improvement of Nairn as a whole then supporting the BID can be a valuable way of saying to your customers that you as a business are contributing to making Nairn a better place.
Opt-in members receive the same benefits as other members, they just don’t have the voting rights that levy area businesses do when it comes to the renewal ballot for the BID. For the five year business plan which outlines the main areas of spending and objectives of Nairn BID, please click here.
They can apply for free stalls at our events and markets, benefit from free marketing and promotion (website listing, social media sharing and member of the month), and attend our meetings, business workshops and networking events.
Nairn BID organises street markets along the High Street several times a year. The BID also runs Taste of Nairn, Wheels of Nairn and the Countdown to Christmas events.
If you think your business would benefit by being part of the BID and you would like to join, please fill in our application form. You can also send us a photograph and listing wording for the VisitNairn website.
Opt-in membership starts from £125 a year. Membership runs for our financial year from 1st October to 30th September. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch – office@nairnconnects.com
Member of the Month
The Flower Shop
June 2025
As we walk into the pretty Flower Shop on Nairn High Street, the team are busy putting the finishing touches to a bride’s bouquet. It’s a rustic arrangement with ribbon, provided by the bride being tied to keep it together and give it the look the bride has requested. It’s clear that shop owner Rachel and colleague Fiona, will not settle for anything, other than perfection.
Rachel has been part of the family-run business since taking the helm last August and she loves her job.
“I love everything about it,” she says, “I feel like we are at the heart of the community. We see people at their most special times; births, weddings, birthdays and celebrations and obviously, we see them at their most vulnerable, when we support families with flowers for funerals or bereavements. It’s a special job and honestly, when I joined mum last year, I hadn’t really anticipated that part of it.”
Family Floristry
Doreen, Rachel’s mum has had the shop for 18 years. Rachel got involved last year, after returning to Nairn from overseas travel due to her husband’s work.
“It’s still very much a family business, but I am now taking a lead. My dad is still here. He does deliveries and helps with some of the behind-the-scenes jobs.”
The shop employs three other members of staff, Marie and manager Fiona. On a Saturday, the team is also joined by Suzi and you might also find you get served by Rachel’s youngest daughter Rose. Yes, her name is Rose and her siblings are Poppy and Daisy.
“I have always loved flowers,” explained Rachel, “hence the girls’ names, although when they were born, I never thought I would actually end up in the family business.”
Upskilling
Training is really important to Rachel and the team, and she has recently completed a course on wedding floristry which included the creation of flower crowns and wands.
“It’s a new trend and it’s becoming really popular,” said Rachel. “They are also a lot of fun to do and have a big impact. The wands are also really sweet and something a bit different on a traditional basket or posy. I am keen on continuing training and making sure that we know what the trends are and keeping ahead of the game.”
Suppliers
The Flower Shop gets three regular deliveries a week, although there are times of the year when they need to supplement that and order in more such as Mother’s Day and Valentines. The shop uses two suppliers from Holland.
“The flowers arrive in the morning and we have to condition them. They arrive in boxes and each flower or stems needs individual attention. For example, it might be that we need to break leaves off or trim them. They always need a good drink.”
Promotion
The Flower Shop harnesses a different array of marketing tools to promote what they do.
“One of the best things we did,” says Rachel, “was popping some products outside the shop. It’s made a big difference and really draws people in. We have also got involved in the markets. The shop has been busier on market days since we took a stall and we have had people coming in, who wouldn’t have ordinarily paid us a visit. I think it’s good to get out there and let people know who we are. People like to know who the faces are behind the business.”
Social media also plays a big part in letting people know what is going on: “We find using the Facebook page hugely beneficial. It has helped increase awareness of The Fower Shop. I really enjoy doing it too. I am a bit of a scroller, so it’s no big deal for me to create our social media.”
Rachel added: “It’s also been great for getting rid of stock. Recently we had some lilies that had opened too soon. It had been warm so they opened, and we couldn’t have really used them in arrangements or sold them. I popped a post of the Facebook page, saying people could drop by and pick them up for free. I would rather do that, than bin them and nobody get any enjoyment out of them.”
The Flowers and Gifts
Flowers are of course the predominant part of the business and the women can cater for any budget. The different flowers are laid out and it’s essentially a pick ‘n’ mix. The smell in the shop is divine.
“We get people coming in with all different types of requests,” said Rachel, “Some are very specific and know exactly what they want, some just explain a bit about what they are for and let us decide. We can cater to a budget too.”
She added: “There are also those that come in to pick their own to arrange at home and we love that too. Since I joined the business, we have introduced a wild and wonderful bouquet which has been quite popular. They are less structured than your typical display. We have also recently taken stock of some dried flowers, these are becoming quite popular for using as accessories or décor around the home.”
Gifts though are also an important part of what makes The Flower Shop so special. If flowers are not your thing, you will not fail to find that special something. From pretty pots, vases, artwork, pottery, t-shirts and houseplants, there is a huge choice.
The Flower shop[ can be contacted on 01667 454382 or flowershopnairn@btinternet.com
